Kids of all ages enjoy apple picking and chomping on an apple right off the tree. Photo courtesy of Butler's Orchard
Apple Picking Near DC: Best Apple Orchards for Apple Picking with Kids
Task-tackling service Taskrabbit is able to take on tons of back-to-school projects you may not have even considered outsourcing.
25 Back-to-School Tasks You Didn't Know You Could Pay Someone Else to Do
Find swim lessons and more classes for kids near Atlanta
GUIDE
Guide to Classes for Kids Near DC
Keep the DC public school calendar handy so you'll always know what days your kids have class.
Here's the DC Public School Calendar for 2023-2024 (Plus Other Area School Districts)
Get building tips from Master Model Builders in the LEGO Discovery Center Washington, DC's Workshop. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters
New LEGO Discovery Center Opens Near Washington, DC
We've launched a partnership with Care.com to bring background-checked nannies and sitters to the Mommy Poppins Directory.
Find Trusted Babysitters and Nannies Now on Mommy Poppins–Powered by Care.com
Kids are allowed—and even encouraged—to touch Reclining Liberty. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Arlington
Reclining Liberty Statue Comes to the DC Area — and Kids Can Climb and Touch It!
Enjoy the scenery on the Georgetown Waterfront while splashing in the fountain. Photo by Sam Kittner, courtesy of georgetowndc.com
19 Sprinkler Parks, Spraygrounds, and Splash Pads near DC for Kids
Visit the home of George Washington in Virginia. Photo courtesy of Mount Vernon
100 Things To Do in DC with Kids Before They Grow Up
Cool off at one of the area's many great splash pads this summer. Photo courtesy of Montgomery Parks
50 Awesome Free Things To Do Near DC this Summer with Kids
It's almost open... Discover the new Lego Center! Photo courtesy of the Lego Discovery Center
19 Best Things to Do in DC August 2023: National Book Festival, County Fairs, and More
Water parks are a fun way to beat the heat this summer. Photo courtesy of Splash City at Kings Dominion
Best Outdoor Water Parks Near DC for Family Fun
The DC State Fair showcases the talents and uniqueness of the city. Photo courtesy of the fair
27 Summer Festivals and Fairs Near DC for Families
Enjoy a free concert on Transit Pier every Wednesday evening. Photo courtesy of Wharf DC
DC's Free Concerts and Outdoor Music Festivals for Families This Summer
Outdoor movies abound in the DC area all summer long. Photo courtesy of the Fairfax County Park Authority
Free Outdoor Movies Near DC this Summer for Kids
No ocean? No problem at Greenbrier State Park. Photo courtesy of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Best Swimming Lakes Near DC You Need to Discover
Pick the perfect sunflower at Great Country Farms. Photo by Maryam Shahid for Great Country Farms
Best Sunflower Fields Near DC for Pick-Your-Own Sunflowers
Kids love to sit in the train engine at Peterson's Ice Cream Depot in Clifton, Virginia. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Marino Walters
Must-Try Ice Cream Shops Near DC for a Cold Treat
Photo courtesy of Croydon Creek Nature Center
GUIDE
Outdoor Activities Guide for DC Kids
With 75 themed walls for kids to tackle, it's impossible to get bored at ClimbZone. Photo courtesy of ClimbZone
Best Indoor Rock Climbing Gyms and Spaces for Kids Near DC
Kids can suit up in hazmat gear, dodge lasers, and crack codes at Beat the Bomb. Photo courtesy of Beat the Bomb
21 Fun Things to Do with Teens and Tweens in DC
The National Children's Museum offers spaces and storytimes just for babies and toddlers. Photo courtesy of the museum
21 Things To Do with DC Babies Before They Turn 1

Where to Trunk-or-Treat Near DC for Halloween (for Free!)

This trunk was voted Most Festive at the 2021 Towson Trunk-or-Treat. Photo courtesy of the event
This trunk was voted Most Festive at the 2021 Towson Trunk-or-Treat. Photo courtesy of the event
10/9/22 - By Jennifer Marino Walters

While trick-or-treating on Halloween is a rite of passage for kids, it's not without its downsides. First, it happens only on one day out of the year. Second, traipsing around the neighborhood can be quite tiring for little superheroes and princesses. Luckily for DC-area kids, there is an alternative—free trunk-or-treats! This year there are plenty of places to trunk-or-treat near DC on different days in both Maryland and Northern Virginia, offering kids plenty of opportunities to collect more candy—and wear their Halloween costumes.

For those who are unfamiliar with the term, trunk-or-treats are events at which organizations, groups, or individuals decorate the trunks of their cars with fun Halloween displays. Kids can visit each trunk and receive candy and other goodies.

Read on for our list of free events where kids can trunk-or-treat near DC. For more Halloween fun, check out our Halloween Events and Activities Guide for Washington, DC Kids and our list of the best free Halloween events near DC for kids and families.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Some car owners use pop culture for decoration inspiration. Photo courtesy of Towson Trunk-or-Treat
Some car owners use pop culture for decoration inspiration. Photo courtesy of Towson Trunk-or-Treat

Where to Trunk-or-Treat in Maryland

Free Trunk-or-Treat and Petting Zoo

Rockville, MD
Saturday, October 15, 2022
Come in your best halloween costume for a fun trunk-or-treat, a petting zoo, music, a raffle, and more Halloween family fun. READ MORE

Towson Trunk-or-Treat

Towson, MD - Free
Saturday, October 15, 2022
Young and old can go from car to car to collect treats at Towson's free annual Trunk or Treat. There will also be carnival games, a bounce house, a costume parade, and more. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes and best decorated cars. READ MORE

Grille No.13 Trunk-or-Treat

Waldorf, MD
Saturday, October 22, 2022
Head to Grille No. 13 for a free trunk-or-treat. There will also be a DJ, a clown, and fun Halloween activities for kids. READ MORE

Trunk-or-Treat at the Manor

Columbia, MD
Friday, October 28, 2022
Everyone young and old is invited to trunk-or-treat at Historic Oakland. Prizes will be awarded for best kids' costume (age 10 and under), best dog costume, and best decorated cars. READ MORE

Sole Girl Trunk-or-Treat

Clinton, MD
Saturday, October 29, 2022
Small businesses will hand out free candy and other goodies to costumed kids while selling items at this annual trunk-or-treat. There will also be music and a crafting corner. READ MORE

Baltimore Wine & Gift Fairy Trunk-or-Treat

Baltimore, MD
Saturday, October 29, 2022
Wear a costume and bring your favorite Halloween bucket to this community-wide event. In addition to the trunk-or-treat, there will be food, vendors, and other fun. READ MORE

Harvester Baptist Church Trunk-or-Treat

Ellicott City, MD
Saturday, October 29, 2022
Harvester Baptist Church is hosting a free trunk-or-treat for kids ages 12 and under. There will also be crafts, games, snacks, a free prize drawing, and a special storytime. READ MORE

Indian Head's Annual Trunk-or-Treat

Indian Head, MD
Monday, October 31, 2022
Bring costumed kids to Village Green Park on Halloween evening for Indian Head's annual trunk-or-treat, hosted by Bridge Church. READ MORE
Sometimes car owners decorate themselves, too! Photo courtesy of the Manassas Park Community Center
Sometimes car owners decorate themselves, too! Photo courtesy of the Manassas Park Community Center

Where to Trunk-or-Treat in Virginia

FCPD & Friends Trunk-or-Treat

Centreville, VA
Wednesday, October 19, 2022
The Fairfax County Police Department, along with local businesses and organizations, will host a free trunk-or-treat for kids. READ MORE

Trunk-or-Treat - Sydenstricker United Methodist Church

Springfield, VA
Friday, October 21, 2022
Put on your favorite costume and head to Sydenstricker United Methodist Church for a Friday evening of fun, food, and trunk-or-treating. READ MORE

Focus Family Academy's 6th Annual Trunk-or-Treat

Fairfax, VA
Saturday, October 22, 2022
Focus Family Academy's 6th annual Trunk or Treat features a haunted maze, inflatables, a costume contest, games, and of course, trunk-or-treating! READ MORE

Trunk-or-Treat at Lubber Run Community Center

Arlington, VA
Saturday, October 22, 2022
Sign up for a 30-minute time slot to trick-or-treat from car to car at this walk-through event. Each trunk will be festively decorated and distributing treats to costumed kids. READ MORE

Halloween Trunk-or-Treat at Premier Martial Arts

Gainesville, VA
Saturday, October 22, 2022
Put on your costumes and head to Premier Martial Arts for a trunk-or-treat and other Halloween fun for the whole family. READ MORE

Faith Fellowship Assembly of God Trunk-or-Treat

Alexandria, VA
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
At this free trunk-or-treat at Faith Fellowship Assembly of God, families can also enjoy free games, hot dogs, and more. READ MORE

Trunk-or-Treat - Abiding Presence Lutheran Church

Burke, VA
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
The annual APLC trunk-or-treat is back. Costumed kids can visit cars with festively decorated trunks to receive candy and other Halloween treats. READ MORE

OFC's Festival of Frights and Trunk-or-Treat

McLean, VA
Saturday, October 29, 2022
Put on your Halloween costumes and visit the Old Firehouse in McLean for a night of live music, games, food, contests, and a trunk-or-treat. READ MORE

Floris UMC Trunk-or-Treat

Herndon, VA
Saturday, October 29, 2022
The parking lot of Floris United Methodist Church will be full of decorated cars with lots of candy and goodies for costumed kids. READ MORE

Trunk-or-Treat at Manassas Park Community Center

Manassas Park, VA
Saturday, October 29, 2022
Decorated vehicles will line up in the parking lot of the Manassas Park Community Center as families stop at each one to receive a Halloween treat (or trick)! READ MORE

Patriot Harley-Davidson Trunk-or-Treat

Fairfax, VA
Saturday, October 29, 2022
Join Patriot Harley-Davidson for a safe and gnarly Harley-Ween, where kids of all ages can receive stuffed motorcycle bags full of candy at the trunk-or-treat. There will also be music, food trucks, and Harley-themed games like Toss the Helmet. READ MORE

Trunk-or-Treat at Vine Church

Dunn Loring, VA
Sunday, October 30, 2022
Children and parents will have a delightful time trick-or-treating from car to car, as they meet neighbors and enjoy treats. Don't forget to wear a costume!  READ MORE

Trunk-or-Treat at Burke United Methodist Church

Burke, VA
Sunday, October 30, 2022
Burke United Methodist Church invites families for a free trunk-or-treat, where kids can wear their costumes and go car to car to collect Halloween treats. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: